Overview of Revolution
- 1. The Quick Version of The Revolutionary War
- 3. Comparing The Two Sides American Weaknesses Small, inexperienced army Left to tend farms Lack of money and supplies American Strengths Knew landscape Had something to fight for (patriotism) Overseas help from French George Washington British Weaknesses Far away from supplies and information British people didn’t care Poor leadership and experience with America British Strengths Large, professional army Money to hire 30,000 Hessians and buy supplies Loyalists and African Americans Artillery experience
- 4. Lexington and Concord April 14, 1775 “ Shot heard ‘round the world.” First battles of Revolution Americans held off the British.
- 6. Battle of Trenton Christmas night 1776 British and Hessians had been “celebrating” George Washington gave men a pep talk Thomas Paine’s “The Crisis” Cold and damp Crossed Delaware Victory!! 868 Prisoners. No American deaths Sent message to British
- 7. The Crisis THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value
- 9. Battle of Saratoga October 17, 1777 General Burgoyne commanded large force of British soldiers Surrounded by Americans 18 days of fighting Americans won and Burgoyne surrendered Victory convinced French to help TURNING POINT
- 10. Winter at Valley Forge
- 11. Hard Winter Armies didn’t really fight in the winter Camped during winter Cold and harsh conditions (Little Ice Age) Hungry and sick No shoes Washington stayed with troops Trained with Baron Von Steuben and the Marquis de Lafayette. Turned them into a “real” army.
- 12. Marquis de Lafayette… Thank you for helping us France is honored to help Your leg is frostbitten
- 14. The War at Sea British and Americans clashed on the sea John Paul Jones = American Naval Commander Serapis v. Bonhomme Richard Crucial American Naval Victory
- 15. Fighting in South British and American forces clashed in the Southern colonies Change in British strategy. What they were doing in the north wasn’t working. Fought in the swamps Francis Marion “The Swamp Fox” Guerilla Warfare
- 17. Yorktown Americans and French “faked out” the British. Made them think they were staying in New York. Marched to Virginia instead Siege at Yorktown. British tried to get away but a storm stopped them. Had to fight.
- 21. Yorktown (end-British surrender) Lord Cornwalis forced to surrender Pretended to be sick British surrendered arms and weapons Poor sports CONSIDERED TO BE THE END OF THE WAR!!!
- 23. Treaty of Paris 1783 Americans get independence Americans get British holdings in North America We become the United States